Hi there! When I was visiting Switzerland I was seriously challenged be this scripture, and have been "chewing" on it from time to time since then. And I don't know why, but I just felt I need to give it to all my faithful praying friends! James 3:17-18 - I always understood wisdom to be "knowing when and how to apply knowledge". This scripture however puts it all in a completely new light for me. I've added some of the different translations to give you some perspective... as if to create a 3D picture of the old language it was written in originally. I pray that the Lord will bless you as you chew on these "words"! Please keep on praying for MGU! Pray that the Lord will give Open Doors! Pray that the Lord will create Opportunities! Pray that the Lord will have His Way! In His Hands Albert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jam 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. Jam 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jam 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first indeed pure, then peaceful [or, free from worry], considerate, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial [or, free from prejudice] and sincere. Jam 3:18 Now the fruit of such righteousness is sown in peace by the ones making peace. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jam 3:17 Maar die wysheid van bo is ten eerste rein, dan vredeliewend, vriendelik, geseglik, vol barmhartigheid en goeie vrugte, onpartydig en ongeveins. Jam 3:18 En die vrug van die geregtigheid word gesaai in vrede vir die wat vrede maak. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jam 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy. Jam 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jam 3:17 But the wisdom that comes from above leads us to be pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere. Jam 3:18 When peacemakers plant seeds of peace, they will harvest justice. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jam 3:17 But the wisdom from above is firstly truly pure, then peaceable, forbearing, yielding, full of mercy and of good fruits, not partial and not pretended. Jam 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for the ones making peace. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jam 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first truly pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Jam 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jam 3:17 Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. Jam 3:18 You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jam 3:17 and the wisdom from above, first, indeed, is pure, then peaceable, gentle, easily entreated, full of kindness and good fruits, uncontentious, and unhypocritical: -- Jam 3:18 and the fruit of the righteousness in peace is sown to those making peace. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------